Page 5 of Tainted Love

He chuckles, showing off his perfect, white teeth and almost boyish charm. “That’s clever. I like that.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hart—”

“Dante.”

I ignore it. “Mr. Hart, I was under the impression I had no choice in this.”

“You don’t. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

I blink. “You’re holding a gun to my father’s head.”

“But not yours.”

“Yet.”

He laughs. “You aren’t at all what I pictured you’d be.”

“Funny. You’re exactly what I pictured you’d be.”

“How’s that?”

“Just another two-bit Chicago thug with a gun to replace his balls.”

His smile remains. “I pictured you, well, like that.” He points to the photo over his shoulder. “Graceful. Elegant. Poised.”

“I’m all of the above.”

“Polite.”

“Have I not been polite?”

“You have… but I get the feeling you’re holding back that tongue of yours.” He cants his head. “Am I right?”

I look at the floor. “Maybe.”

He stands up. “Well, go ahead, Ms. Vaughn. Tell me what you really think of tonight’s arrangement.”

I chew on my lip while he stares me down with amused eyes. “I think it’s fucking pathetic,” I say.

“Pathetic?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“What else would you call a gangster who’d dangle a man’s gambling debts over his head just to fuck his daughter?”

“Efficient.”

I scoff. “Oh, please.”

“You disagree?”

“Of course.”

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